Monday, October 31, 2011

When the best the police chief can do is add 2 cops to the chase for clues in three weekend shootings, and admits he had not even a thought that the Halloween weekend might, just might, end with gunshots, blood, and death after last years' triple shooting, Winnipeg has a serious crime fighting problem -- right at the top.

We also review another blogger/columnist, Colin Fast, who today agreed with our long-standing position that leaders from minority communities have to become engaged in the discussion about public safety solutions because politicians keep acting like, well ... :

"Is it possible that all the shiny new toys in town are masking some of our real, serious problems? After all, it’s more fun to cut the ribbon on a fancy new development than cut the police tape on a crime scene."

Speaking of ribbon-cutters et al, the folks from the "Air Canada was wrong, its just a perception of crime" crowd tried to regroup in response to the Winnipeg homicide record being tied at 34.

Firstly was the guy who only weeks ago said of downtown crime, that his reading of statistics indicated "there was not much going on."

FP readers online comments indicate great scepticism at the new mantra "we can do it!"of resident local tall forehead, U of M professor Rick Linden, whose solution to car theft treated drivers - and not car thieves - as criminals. He now wants to help dictate a "crime master plan" needing more funding for the failed social engineering programs the NDP love to blow tax dollars on.http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/crime-can-be-stopped-professor-132905283.html

Meanwhile the beleaguered, Crimestat--defending Downtown Biz, was forced to pretend to be doing something and demonstrate it really cares when it comes to consulting the public about crime.

"“We all have a role to play in the revitalization of our downtown, so come on down and speak up!Have your voice heard!” Stefano Grande, Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ declared. “This is a chance to ask questions and learn from others who are stepping up and taking the lead on these important downtown issues.”

We shall see if the Biz not only allows voices to be heard, but actually listens to an outraged public and Biz members and learns something itself.

Or, if the anticipated throngs of associated lapdog agencies and lobby groups try to dominate the forum narratives in lockstep with, as Scott Price of CKUW calls it, the media oligarchy.

And the news script concluded, that police explained, "it's hard to predict who may have firearms and when they might be used".

How comforting, for parents whose kid go out trick or treating or to community parties, let alone their older kids who go to bars and socials. Just in time for the cops to admit, they have lost control of the streets of this city. Lovely.

It is notable how many of the killings and stabbings this year have been open-air, rather than inside dingy apartments or 1 star hotel rooms on Main Street.

Instead CTV did a 180, following the Exchange District murder with a glowing upbeat cheerleader piece about the opening of the new airport, mentioning that "problems with the underground pipes" led to a one year delay , but not connecting the delay to any increase in cost -- although the cost had been mentioned too.

Zacharias showed that only the most serious of crimes- such as, oh, people being shot - made the daily press releases.

"In September 2011 the Winnipeg Police Service issued 26 News Releases. In those 26 news releases, however, the Service made reference to only 10 of the 787 offences reported on Crimestat during September... During the month of September, 59 of the 111 muggings reported city-wide were committed in District 1, which encompasses the downtown area. "

North end blogger Rae Butcher, who has fought tooth and nail for accountability and proper information about her own street, noted how important measures of public safety such as stabbings are under-reported as robberies on Crimestat and arsons are not calculated into Crimestat at all.

"What is the actual purpose of the CrimeStat map on the WPS website? Is it to arm citizens with valuable information on crimes being committed throughout Winnipeg? Or is it designed to create illusions of Winnipeg as City Hall sees fit?"

She also enumerated recent PR and non-emergency bulletins issued by police email last Friday which the number of which dwarfed the real news. (Not to mention what Tom Brodbeck of the Sun has to say about the real news downtown and Mayor Katz.)

The time has come for the revival of placing someone the press and public can trust to meaningful compile press releases and reports with some basic comprehension that the idea is to report on crimes, not to promote Chief McCaskill's social work agenda and manipulative style (like when drinking parties turn bad, and the official lingo is " they were socializing".)

The time has come for a civilian spokesman who understands what the public needs to and wants to know, and to assign the officers to what we paid to train them to do - be cops and deal with crime and criminals , not with keyboards and microphones.

As of CTV, the segue to the weather was "I don't want to say we dodged a bullet yesterday - but we did"

You'd think on a weekend when 2 men are gunned down and a 14 year old gets dropped in broad daylight on Selkirk Avenue and barely survives, CTV would have thought thru how their "happy-chat" clever-word quotient would be expressed under the circumstances.

And you'd hope someone in the MSM will ask, what role the police chopper played in the response to any of the 3 (known) shootings this weekend. If any.

Friday, October 28, 2011

"It's an important debate that needs to happen", explains CKUW assistant news director Scott Price about why he tried to get Downtown Biz honcho Stefano Grande to tackle the issue of downtown safety mano-a-mano with urban affairs blogger Brian Kelcey on live radio.

But as the host of the thrice weekly morning show People of Interest tells TGCTS, "His first response, I just shook my head. "There's no debate with the Biz, there's only moving forward." What the heck does that mean?"

"I have little to zero journalistic training, but that doesn't mean I don't know the issues" states Price, who chased Grande by Twitter, email and phone to appear on the show on October 17 to no avail. "We're not idiots", Price exclaims, believing that Grande "probably didn't want, as knowledgeable as Brian Kelcey is, isn't something Stefano wanted to do on a Monday morning".

What he, as a citizen journalist sees of the Downtown Biz, is "this strategic, tactful, trying to sidestep things put on the teflon so things don't stick approach" that fails to recognize that Grande's suggestion to go on CKUW to talk about topics such as housing was insufficient at best and insulting at worst.

"If we're talking about downtown residents, crime and safety is at the top of the list ... Our audience is Downtown, West Broadway, west end. To me, when the Biz was evasive, these people give us their money ($50,000) every year to keep us as a media source, every year, there's a disconnect there, maybe Mr. Grande doesn't realize that."

Price admits that even at 6'2" and over 200 lbs, it was "heads up hockey" out there, going so far as saying he and his friends as a rule plan to "only make 1 beer run" to avoid being jacked leaving the Sherbrook Hotel vendor. In our exclusive interview, he is as unimpressed by the Downtown Biz' CEO Sleepover stunt as we were, and also criticizes, as we had, the charade of City of Winnipeg public consultations for the Sherbrook bike lanes and the Our Winnipeg open houses.

Campus radio certainly "gets it" when compared to what Price saw as the mainstream newsroom "oligarchy".

Also on the Friday podcast:

A review of the racist attack on the Okay Groceries supermarket (3 blocks from Health Sciences Centre) by radical supporters of the deceased shoplifter Geraldine Beardy yesterday, leads TGCTS to ask serious questions.

Will Justice Minister Andrew Swan and the police brass will take action to crack down on vigilantiism against the Korean storeowner after charges against him were dropped? Or does the store have to have the windows smashed out or be torched by arsonists first.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

None of the mainstream media outlets took a moment to actually look into the details of the Manitoba Securities Commission decision allowing 8 Crocus Fund Directors to walk away without being held accountable or expressing any remorse for allowing inflated shares in the labour fund to be sold without the required checks and balances being followed by the Board, that would have protected trusting Manitobans from being fleeced.

How did the MSC think that suspending their ability to do anything like it again -- for a year -- is any kind of sanction or protects the public?

We took the time to read it over.

Since not one newsroom seems to have actually named the Directors - can they be called guilty? I think they can because they admitted to breaching the Act by not adhering to the Prospectus - TGCTS will name names:

It is a sickening reminder of how under the NDP white-collar crime that would result in a stint in the penitentary in the US is absolved in Manitobastan by compliant regulators after hearing pleas that 'the lawyers advised us' and 'the accounting firm said it was ok'. (Ever heard of Enron, any of you ?)

- backroom infighting between parties unnamed in the documentation (but who were longtime Crocus CEO Sherman Kreiner and new executives Chief Operating Officer Laurie Goldberg and Chief Investment Officer John Pelton - please note I mis-guessed the CIO in this narrative on this podcast as being Albert Black which will be corrected on the next podcast);

- and the pathetic excuses of the 8 directors subject to the Order whom, although all promoters of the Fund and highly educated professionals, were seemingly out of their depth on how to discharge their responsibilities properly when it came to actually running the Fund as Directors of the Board.

Listen to our walk-thru of the details, and in particular the discovery of a glaring irregularity in the documentation. And I mean glaring.

Also on the agenda today:* The Simkin Centre pulled an Olga Fuga and declared the Annual General Meeting over when the tough questions about the abuse of the elderly and a closed-shop Board nomination process started piling up. This was a shameful way for a Jewish organization to abandon their duty to the community.

* Don't forget tomorrow's special episode, focusing on the Air Canada memo fall-out and the relationship between the Downtown Biz and its critics, featuring a special interview with a citizen journalist who pulls no punches in describing the sad state of civic "debate" in Winnipeg and the dismissive attitude of the Biz to the community.

Please note that on Friday, we are scheduling a special about the Air Canada memo, the war of words between realists and pollyanna's, and the attitude adjustment needed by the Downtown Biz to truly get a handle on the crime and safety problems downtown.

That episode will feature an exclusive interview with a citizen journalist, who explains why it is indisputable they represent a neglected segment of the community. Wait till you hear what he has to say about the players and the political game, the message he has for Stefano Grande, and how remarkably similar his observations and experiences are, to the positions taken and causes championed by TGCTS for the past 5 years.

Far from being on the wrong track, we were right on the money about the issues and the role of campus radio to raise awareness and create a sense of community, regardless of what Red River College censors like Cathy Rushton and Graham Thomson thought.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

October 25th is the 22nd anniversary of the final election of Bill Norrie as Winnipeg's mayor - which I covered on MTN-TV. Time flies, eh ?

Along with a brief recollection of that vote, and shout-outs to our friends the Greendell Falcons for their valiant losing effort in double overtime at Canad Inns Stadium on Sunday in Midget Football playoffs and to Kenny Omega for winning the World Junior Heavyweight wrestling title in Japan, the Tuesday podcast focuses on our personal observations of the proceedings in the Labradoodle trial, now being challenged by an application to Queen's Bench by lawyer Gene Zazalenchuk for a Prohibition Order to turf the judge.

Missing warrants - as in there was none.Missing Inspection Notices - was there ever one, or was there none ?Missing the point - a provincial court judge who is now accused of creating an apprehension of bias after being seen speaking in the hallway to the 'star' witness from the Provincial Veterinarians' Office and refusing to recuse himself.

Excerpts from an official transcript and affidavit, combined with James Turner's report in Metro, gives TGCTS listeners a pretty complete review of the situation involving Judge Ted Lismer they can't get anywhere else in the local media.

In the public safety update, a drive-by in Elmwood proves the Safer Communities initiatives bragged about by the NDP government are a dangerous joke. Why did neighbours get no action after 15 calls about the house - until it was finally shot up? Maybe police were too busy chasing the cold, cold leads in last year's triple shooting in the north end. Plus, a listener advises that another Winnipeg hospital may yet be the scene of the next Brian Sinclair tragedy because it tolerates non-patients to loiter in the ER.

Friday, October 21, 2011

The opening segment is a commentary about the role of alternative media, the entrenched ivory-tower local institutions, and the state of critical and other reporting in the local MSM, that is a must-hear for those concerned about free speech in our community.

We also mine some classic comments from the Free Press' record 683 online contributions, and explain why any Beardy lawsuit is on thin ice compared to the Brian Sinclair family suit, in which they are kicking the WRHA's heinie by pointing out the court can't allow an institution to precipitate a customers death and then claim his rights didn't exist.

Shout-outs today to TGCTS alumnus Shannah-Lee Vidal, Josh Grummett and David Shorr, who have gone on to notable careers with Mix 100 FM CJCD, APTN-TV, and the Manitoba Liberal party respectively.

The trio were producers and contributors to our show for many years and are an example of the quality of people who interned with TGCTS on 92.9 Kick-FM in citizen journalism and talk radio, while taking the Red River College creative communications course. (Welcome back Shannah-Lee)

A recap of the reported and unreported numbers (and underlying motivations of participants) of the Zombie Walk, Slutwalk and Occupy Winnipeg which all took place this weekend is provided (find out Zombies favorite brands of beer!) -- and as all of the marchers went through downtown, naturally the latest salvos in the Stefano Grande vs Brian Kelcey online battle about downtown safety is reviewed, with Kelcey holding the upper ground.

The attacks by representatives of the Biz on honest reporting of public concerns and experiences downtown has the potential to backfire on the organization, as Kelcey points out: (By the way, as you'll hear on the podcast, many of these examples ARE criminal offences, and Grande is invited to test one in particular.)

Not incidentally, (Grande) writes:

"Panhandling, public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, urinating, loitering, gangs of kids hanging out - all are an issue. But these issues are not crimes.

Coming from the Director of the Downtown BIZ, these are strange words. He's technically right, of course - if you define crime exclusively by what's in the Criminal Code.

But while the City rarely uses the by-law in question, aggressive panhandling is an offence under Winnipeg by-laws because it's a threat to public safety. If the Director of the Downtown BIZ feels that this by-law should be unmentioned, unreported or left unenforced because it's not really a crime to corner someone in an enclosed bus stop and demand cash, I'd encourage him to consult with his membership to see if they agree. He might not like the answer he'll get.

This latest attempt to deny the obvious by the Downtown Biz resulted in an as-yet unresponded to challenge to a debate by Kelcey, which I have offered to moderate. We're waiting ...

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Thursday podcast starts off with a brief tribute to my mentor, Yoram Hamizrachi East on the first anniversary of his passing.

Part one of the show is all about provincial politics, as we recount an interesting opinion piece from the publisher of the Neepawa Banner, Ken Waddell, and then explore an issue only TGCTS addressed during the election campaign - the wafer-thin depth of the NDP backbenches with 2 cabinet posts to be filled.

The accused posted a number of comments online earlier today, raft with gangsta lingo, bad spellink and threats. On today's podcast we highlight his racially-charged ramblings alleging mistreatment by the media and police and claims of community service such as the excerpts below:

"i maid bails this morning in montreal im free there is not one bit of thruth to the story ... we help troubled youth avoid the life style we had in the past due to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poor you take away are rec centers are goverment money and put white ppl into programs that kids dont want ... greg silinger got more votes bye standing bye ppl who have changed there life get the real facts before you print storys on us no ones been convited in heatbag records or winnipegs most in 5 years so suck it up and suck me off this is brooklyn"

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Right off the top of the program today, TGCTS features a lengthy interview with Steve Shrout, recorded at the Metro News office at Portage and Main.

He tells about how the paper had to overcome resistance to their free distribution plan before it could launch; his dealings with Mayor Sam Katz and city hall; why the tabloid has found acceptance among consumers and advertisers locally; social media as part of their self-promotion; and why he is a big booster of this city. It's a fast-paced informative exchange and so good it just had to lead today's edition. Thank you Steve.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The post-election post-mortum reflects on the state of Manitoba politics and media with a round-up of pundits critiques, including Tom Brodbeck, Charles Adler and Brad Oswald, as well as listener comments and an idea to encourage voting. Where are the missing 15% , and why are they staying away ? Who will watch out for the majority of Manitobans who are not pro-NDP when both parties are in disarray ? What about reports of dirty tricks and possible fraud even at the polls?

The CCPS Update takes a look at Portage Avenue, a suggestion to the Mayor from a former cop, and the trial in the murder of John Radocaj.

"Elections Commissioner Bill Bowles said Lemieux, who is running for re-election in Dawson Trail, was acting as an MLA, not a candidate, when he presented a $15,000 cheque for a playground in Landmark ...

"In his ruling, Bowles said the cheque presentation was only semi-public. Lemieux did not speak at the formal playground dedication ceremony and did not publicize his attendance. He waited until after the ceremony to give the cheque to the playground committee. A reporter from the Steinbach Carillon happened to tag along.

Bowles also said he could find no fault with a blog-style article Lemieux published a few days later on a local news site, where he touted the playground grant and posted a photo of the cheque presentation."

Listen to the podcast to hear us dissect the intellectual dishonesty of Elections Manitoba creating the new concept of a "semi-public" appearance by a cabinet minister wielding a government cheque, and then absolving him for writing as a "candidate" about his actions as a Minister, replete with a photo that just "happened". (What is "blog-style", anyways?)

More importantly, a source shared information with TGCTS about the timing aspect, which seems to have escaped scrutiny.

When was the Community Places grant cheque cut? What is the normal protocol for getting the money to the organization? What decisions did Lemieux have the option of making ? You can decide, is Elections Manitoba part of the supplicant society as described by Prof. Bryan Schwartz?

And that's not the only campaign dirty trick discussed, as while recording the show, we received confirmation of a major brouhaha over voter ID at an inner city polling station that had (has?) lawyers involved.

Two bloggers provide great insight into the Air Canada crew layover controversy.

Speaking of homelessness, DJ Monkey took time away from upgrading the desktop in the studio to provide some colour commentary about pictures we have acquired of the Downtown Biz CEO sleepover that illustrate how out of touch the Biz and corporate honchos are, focused more on public relations than true compassion and understanding of the homeless in the city.

For instance, whereas this was supposed to be an "outdoor" sleepover, it doesn't mean the CEO's slept under the stars.

They slept under canvas.

No staying warm under newspapers for this pretend-homeless person, with her 4 layers of clothing and a hairstyle so perfect Mary Agnes Welch is sure to endorse her for political office one day.

Nothing says "at one with the homeless" than a $600 Canada Goose insulated parka and fur-lined hood. Way to go, Brain, er, em, Brian.

In addition to the access to indoor washrooms, bright Las Vegas style lighting, and 20 security guards obstructing photographs and demanding that even visiting senior executives from Alberta show identification, the Downtown Biz couldn't very well have the high and mighty of Winnipeg experience the indignity of suffering any actual, you know, hunger, before the formal breakfast with an imported speaker last Friday.(Wait till you hear what DJ Monkey said about what the real homeless have for dessert.)

As our picture-provider said:

"They wanted to talk the talk of homeless people but they sure didn't walk the walk."

Monday, October 3, 2011

The dirty tricks pile up as Election Day draws near, CBC flunks math, and reporting the gritty reality of downtown crime and disorder started a Twitter assault by the Downtown Biz on the Winnipeg Sun this weekend.

Listen to the podcast for details about- the fliers attacking Liberal candidate Joe Chan,- the excellent blog post by L.L. about the dangers of living and working downtown, after the pollyannas and the politicians complained that Air Canada pulled their crews from staying at Portage and Smith,- the Tweets back and forth smacking down Stefano Grande (and what broadcaster and former downtown resident Andrea Slobodian wrote),- opinions of a listener about the Biz' CEO Sleepover PR stunt- and another listener had some observations about the election campaigns and health care bureaucracies.The Free Press coyly refusing to give credit to our podcast for the Selinger/Heatbag records picture and story, alcoholism wreaking havoc on our city coming up in court last week, Gordo making excuses for teen killers, the passing of a Winnipegger whose name is well known in the sports scene even if he is not anymore, and my weekend on the road with the legendary Honky Tonk Man in Beausejour and La Broquerie for Western Wrestling Tours, round out the show.

Special thanks are in order for our Marquee Sponsor for October, Osborne House. We'll have lots to say about their service to the community and how you can help, all month long.

PLUS! see for yourself the Downtown Biz PR stunt and how pampered the CEO's were, while pretending to the public they would, in any way, be able to better understand the challenges of a homeless person after sleeping outdoors at 201 Portage. You will not want to miss it.